Rise in one voice

B L Saraf
Governor Sh N N Vohra’s   address  to  the inaugural session of  new Assembly, though customary in nature, gives some   idea  how   the incumbent Government   intends to work on  its agenda, tackle the issues  facing  people    and how it  proposes to go ahead  with the business of governance.
Invoking former PM A B  Vajpayee, the head line of the address is,  “the Government would initiate dialogue process with all political groups including the Hurriyat Conference in the spirit of  Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat and Jamhooriyat………To enlarge the constituency of peace and deepen its societal moorings, the coalition Government will take well considered political initiative……….” To get the separatists on board for the return of peace and tranquillity to the beleaguered  State will, indeed , be a big  political  initiative.  It must be high on the agenda. Given his perceived image of a ‘soft separatist ‘CM Muti Sayeed  could be  a man for the  season. He has an added advantage of having BJP on his side. No matter how much noise they may make, the local   BJP would not like to be seen  opposing   AB  Vajpayee’s  line  on this issue. Other mainstream political parties may not pose a challenge  in this regard. The big question, however, remains will the separatists buy the line. Mirwaiz  faction and some others did respond to the ex  PM  Vajpayee  in his endeavour to calm the situation in the Valley. They will   oblige after some  posturing so that they appear to have been’ seriously’ persuaded to come to the table .  In fact   Mirwaiz  seems to have endorsed the move by pining hope on the Central Government that “it would revisit  former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s  policy on J&K   for creating conducive atmosphere for a dialogue.” Much, however, will depend on how Geelani  faction  would  respond. Ail Shah Geelani will be a tough nut to crack. In this situation, onus shifts  to the Kashmir civil society groups, business community, small time wage earners, the student community and silent majority of the  peace lovers  . For them ,  peace in the Valley is the only guarantee for their  survival and success in the  academic life .  Fortunately ,  business community in the Valley and some civil society groups are thinking on these lines . The  devastating floods of 9/14  have taught them a bitter lesson . They are speaking up   for the cause of peace  . It may be pertinent to note that the business organisations which  talk  peace  now, happened to be the   vocal  components of the Hurriyat  when  it raked up  Amarnath  land allotment  issue and shut  down the Valley for months together, in 2008. Presently,   these organisations are advocating that in the interests of  common people in the Valley  ” it is better to put aside  differences on larger questions of Kashmir “and concentrate on the economic development. If these groups rise in one voice for the peace and tranquillity it is bound to have a salutary effect on the separatists.
Especially, when Pakistan, their  benefactor, is involved in a fight for its very survival, waged by those  ‘non state actors’ whom it describes ‘freedom fighters’   in Kashmir.
The Government and the political leaders must care to listen these voices of sanity, heard after a  long  period of  turbulence  and respond with  good  governance. Another notable feature of the Governor’s address   is  the    mention of Government’s resolve to ensure Pandits return and rehabilitation in the Valley. He said “to strengthen and enhance societal harmony my Government will ensure the return of  Kshmiri Pandits with dignity based on their rights as the state subjects. No  effort will  be  spared  to  reintegrating and absorbing   them in the Kashmir milieu. “Well, some may feel  there is nothing new in the words that has not been told in number of addresses ,made in the past by the Governors.
And   nothing  substantial  has  translated on the ground. Here, the statement of the Minister of State for Home made to the Lok Sabah bears mention. He stated  that “only one Kashmiri Pandit   family  has returned to the Valley availing a Centrally sponsored  Scheme announced  by the Government, in 2008, for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. “New dispensation must seriously ponder why it is so ?For   the   displaced, reason is loud and clear. A concerted and credible will  was found  lacking  in those quarters who were  charged with a duty in  this  regard.
Apart from  managing the symptoms by applying  first aid, no serious effort  has been  made to cure the disease of mistrust and instil confidence  in the displaced community. Government must remember that, sometimes , it doesn’t work  to use   two languages to tell the same story. The displaced community has only  one story which needs to be told in only one language.
It must be reassuring for the displaced community that their  issue  finds mention in the Governor’s address.  But the   assurance has to be matched with a clear indication of the intent. Reintroduction of the lapsed Bill on protection of  Hindu Shrines and Temples in Kashmir  will reveal it in ample terms.
(The author is  former  Principal  District  & Sessions Judge)

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